HHS OCR report ยท 2018
New England Dermatology, P.C. data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- New England Dermatology, P.C.
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Massachusetts
- Individuals affected
- 16,154
- Submission date
- Jul 13, 2018
- Type of breach
- Improper Disposal
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), New England Dermatology P.C., reported that one of its locations, Northampton, improperly disposed of patient records containing protected health information (PHI) by failing to shred them prior to disposal in a dumpster. The PHI included names, mailing addresses, dates of service, and clinical information. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media and also provided substitute notice. Following the breach, the CE implemented a ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the New England Dermatology, P.C. data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 16,154 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jul 13, 2018.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Improper Disposal, with the breached information located in: Paper/Films.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from New England Dermatology, P.C. legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or New England Dermatology, P.C..